Method for controlling a homogeneous batch of pressurised fluid cylinders

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method for controlling a homogeneous batch ( 1 ) of pressurised fluid cylinders ( 2 ) during at least part of the use cycle of said cylinders. According to the invention, each of the cylinders ( 2 ) is provided with a valve ( 3 ) having an electronic device ( 4 ) including at least one sensor ( 14 ) for measuring the pressure (P) inside the cylinder ( 2 ), a system ( 44 ) for storing/acquiring and processing data and an electromagnetic wave transmitter ( 34 ), for example using radio frequency, designed for the remote transmission of at least one of the following items of information: the identity of the cylinder ( 2 ) and the pressure (P) measured inside said cylinder. The method includes a transmission step in which all of the cylinders ( 2 ) in the batch ( 1 ) transmit at least one item of information of the same type when they are in the same phase of the use cycle at the same time and a step in which the same-type items of information transmitted by the cylinders are compared for the automatic detection of an anomaly in the batch ( 1 ).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of patent application Ser. No. 12/597,902, filed Mar. 27, 2008, which is 371 of International PCT Application PCT/FR2008/050536, filed Mar. 27, 2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for checking a homogeneous batch of pressurized-fluid cylinders.

The invention relates more specifically to a method for checking a homogeneous batch of cylinders of pressurized-fluid, particularly of pressurized gas, during at least part of the cycle of use of said cylinders.

BACKGROUND Controlling and monitoring cylinders of conditioned gas during their cycle of use is of key importance on an industrial scale.

This is because the checking of cylinders of conditioned gas is subject to safety and industrial efficiency requirements and thereby entails a significant amount of logistic support and labor. This is a particularly sensitive issue in the medical field where a defective cylinder or a cylinder containing an incorrect mixture may have serious consequences.

It is an object of the present invention to alleviate all or some of the abovementioned disadvantages of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method for checking a homogeneous batch of pressurized-fluid cylinders during at least part of the cycle of use of the cylinders, the cylinders each being equipped with a valve provided with an electronic device comprising at least one sensor for measuring the pressure (P) obtaining inside the cylinder, a data storage/acquisition and processing system and an emitter of electromagnetic waves designed to transmit to a distance at least one of the information items from among: the identity of the cylinder and the pressure (P) measured inside the cylinder, the method involving an emission step in which all the cylinders of the batch emit at least one information item of the same nature when they are simultaneously in one and the same phase of the cycle of use, and a step of comparing the information items of the same nature emitted by the cylinders in order automatically to detect an anomaly in the batch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic and partial view illustrating the structure and operation of the checking of a pressurized-fluid cylinder batch according to the invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a schematic and partial view illustrating the structure and operation of one example according to the invention, of an electronic measurement and communication device carried by each cylinder of the batch of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

To this end, the invention proposes a method for checking a homogeneous batch of pressurized-fluid cylinders during at least part of the cycle of use of said cylinders, the cylinders each being equipped with a valve provided with an electronic device comprising at least one sensor for measuring the pressure obtaining inside the cylinder, a data storage/acquisition and processing system and an emitter of electromagnetic waves, for example at radio frequency, designed to transmit to a distance at least one of the information items from among: the identity of the cylinder and the pressure measured inside said cylinder, the method involving an emission step in which all the cylinders of the batch emit at least one information item of the same nature when they are simultaneously in one and the same phase of the cycle of use, and a step of comparing the information items of the same nature emitted by the cylinders in order automatically to detect an anomaly in the batch.

Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features:

-   -   the emission step is performed independently by each electronic         device by automatically and repeatedly emitting information at         determined time intervals,     -   the emission step is performed independently and automatically         by each electronic device as soon as the data         storage/acquisition and processing system detects a trigger         condition relating to one of the items of information, such that         a pressure threshold (P) is reached,     -   each emission of information by an emitter is performed by         successively sending out several redundant identical messages,     -   the cycle of use of the batch of cylinders comprises a         pre-conditioning phase during which the comparison step         comprises: comparing the number of cylinders detected against a         number of cylinders initially intended for the conditioning, and         comparing the type of cylinders detected against the intended         conditioning, in order to verify that the number and type of         cylinder conforms to the intended conditioning,     -   the cycle of use of the batch of cylinders comprises a         conditioning phase during which the cylinders of the batch are         subjected to one or more filling operations and possibly to one         or more withdrawing operations and possibly to one or more         cleaning operations, the comparison step comprising: comparing         curves of the variation in pressures (P) of the cylinders which         have been obtained from the pressure values (P) measured by the         sensors and emitted successively by the emitters so as to detect         any curve of the pressure variation of a cylinder that is         inconsistent with all the other curves and is the result, for         example, of a valve that is closed and/or of a valve shutter         that is defective,     -   the cycle of use of the batch of cylinders comprises a         post-conditioning phase, the method comprising a step of         recording the values of the final pressure (P) measured in each         of the cylinders and possibly the value of the final         temperature (T) in each of the cylinders as measured by a         temperature (T) sensor,     -   the cycle of use of the batch of cylinders comprises a         quarantine or storage phase during which the cylinders of the         batch are not used, the comparison step comprising: comparing         the curves of variation in pressures (P) of the cylinders or         comparing the values of the pressure (P) in each cylinder before         and after the quarantine phase in order to detect a cylinder         that is suffering from a slow leak,     -   during the quarantine or storage phase, the comparison step         comprises comparing the number of cylinders detected on the         basis of the information received against the predefined number         of cylinders,     -   the cycle of use of the batch of cylinders comprises a phase of         delivering the batch, during which phase the comparison step         comprises comparing and possibly recording characteristics of         the batch (1) against a predefined batch,     -   the electronic device comprises a battery and a temperature (T)         sensor, the information emitted during the emission step         comprising: the identity of the cylinder, the pressure (P)         measured inside said cylinder, the measured temperature (T) and         possibly the state of the battery.

For a further understanding of the nature and objects for the present invention, reference should be made to the detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, in which like elements are given the same or analogous reference numbers.

Other particulars and advantages will become apparent from reading the description which follows, which is given with reference to the figures.

FIG. 1 schematically depicts a homogeneous batch of identical pressurized-gas cylinders 2.

Each cylinder 2 is equipped with a valve 3 provided with an electronic device 4 comprising at least one sensor 14 for measuring the pressure P obtaining inside the cylinder 2, a data storage/acquisition and processing system 44 and an emitter 34 of electromagnetic waves, for example at radio frequency, designed to transmit to a distance at least one of the information items from among: the identity of the cylinder 2 and the pressure P measured inside said cylinder (or an item of data representative of the pressure, such as the remaining capacity).

As depicted in FIG. 2, the pressure P sensor 14, the data storage/acquisition and processing system 44, the emitter 34 of electromagnetic waves, a battery 54 and possibly a wave receiver and other elements such as a temperature T sensor 24 may be incorporated into one and the same device 4 known as “electronic pressure gauge” fitted in place of a mechanical pressure gauge of known type. An example of an electronic pressure gauge is described, for example, in document WO 2005/09337.

The electronic pressure gauge 4 is able to communicate with a reception member 5 (emitter) coupled (directly or remotely) to a data processing system such as a computer 6.

By equipping, according to the invention, all the cylinders of an identical batch with such an electronic pressure gauge 4, the batch 1 can be controlled and monitored as follows.

The electronic pressure gauge 4 provided with radio frequency communication members may send out to a distance a signal S in the form, for example, of three redundant frames containing, by way of non-limiting example: the identifier of the cylinder 2, the measured pressure P, the measured temperature T and various statuses (for example a low-pressure or high-pressure alarm, a battery state, etc.).

The signal S is sent out automatically by each electronic pressure gauge 4 more or less frequently according to whether or not it is in use (for example every hour when it is not in use or every minute when it is in use). These emissions at regular frequencies may be supplemented by automatic immediate emissions if the conditions of an alarm (for example a parameterized pressure value) are all met.

Examples of phases of a cycle of use will now be described in conjunction with the invention (Filling/Quarantine/Delivery/Storage Full/In Use/Return Empty/Sort).

The emission of these signals S from a batch 1 makes it possible to locate, trace and identify the cylinders 2 of the batch 1 individually.

For a batch 1 comprising, for example, twelve cylinders 2, receipt of the twelve cylinder 2 identities makes it possible to verify that there are indeed twelve cylinders 2 in the batch 1, that the product is identical and that the docket detailing the intended filling with gas is properly suited to the type of cylinder 2.

This phase of verifying the number and identity of the cylinders 2 may be performed before a conditioning (or during this conditioning when operating concurrently).

During Conditioning:

Monitoring the conditioning curves (10 to 40 acquisitions on each of the increases and/or decreases in pressure P) of the batch 1 (in the sense of a line for simultaneously filling several cylinders 2) makes it possible to see that the conditioning is progressing correctly. Monitoring correct conditioning is characterized by pressure P curves with trends that are consistent between the cylinders 2 of the batch 1 (for example during the rinsing/filling/venting/evacuating cycles).

Thus, a cylinder 2 the valve of which may have remained closed will be easily detected and isolated because the measured pressure P would be practically zero. Likewise, a cylinder 2 the valve shutter of which may have become damaged will have an operation that is inconsistent with the other cylinders 2 of the batch 1. The latter detection is particularly tricky to effect in the prior part even though it is very important in the context of gas mixtures because there is then a high risk of obtaining mixtures of which the batch 1 is inconsistent.

After Conditioning:

It is possible to record (and to compare) the pressure/temperature thresholds obtained at the end of conditioning individually for each cylinder 2 of the batch.

During any quarantine period there might be:

Examining and comparing the pressure P curves during the quarantine period makes it possible to detect and prevent any slow leaks there might be by comparing the data from one and the same cylinder 2 before and after the quarantine period and also by a comparative study of the twelve pressure curves of the batch 1.

During a Delivery Phase:

The relevant information is obtained easily and automatically and allows guarantees to be made regarding the batch 1 delivered. An automatic status report of the cylinders 2 which are contained in the delivery truck can be created. This is advantageous in order to check the compliance of the consignment. This corresponds, for example, to a centralization display indicating the status of the cylinders (full/empty, number, type) in a fire tender and/or an ambulance so that a batch can be verified prior to any intervention.

A location system (of the GPS type) may be provided in the electronic pressure gauge 4 so that the suitability of the delivered product can be checked against the place of delivery.

During storage at the premises of the user: the invention allows an inventory and monitoring of the pressure curves (leak detection) as described hereinabove.

During use, the invention also makes it possible to detect anomalies by monitoring the pressure curves (leak detection) as described hereinabove.

When a delivery is returned: it is possible to monitor and count off the cylinders 2 taken back.

Sorting: The invention allows automation of the cylinders to be sought (recall of batch 1, re-testing, etc.).

The invention is not restricted to the examples described hereinabove and may also relate to a device comprising all or some of the above features. 

1. A method for checking a homogeneous batch of pressurized-fluid cylinders during at least part of the cycle of use of the cylinders, the cylinders each being equipped with a valve provided with an electronic device comprising at least one sensor for measuring the pressure (P) obtaining inside the cylinder, a data storage/acquisition and processing system and an emitter of electromagnetic waves designed to transmit to a distance at least one of the information items from among: the identity of the cylinder and the pressure (P) measured inside said cylinder, the method involving an emission step in which all the cylinders of the batch emit at least one information item of the same nature when they are simultaneously in one and the same phase of the cycle of use, and a step of comparing the information items of the same nature emitted by the cylinders in order automatically to detect an anomaly in the batch.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the emission step is performed independently by each electronic device by automatically and repeatedly emitting information at determined time intervals.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the emission step is performed independently and automatically by each electronic device as soon as the data storage/acquisition and processing system detects a trigger condition relating to one of the items of information, such that a pressure threshold (P) is reached.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein each emission of information by an emitter is performed by successively sending out several redundant identical messages.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the cycle of use of the batch of cylinders comprises a pre-conditioning phase during which the comparison step comprises: comparing the number of cylinders detected against a number of cylinders initially intended for the conditioning, and comparing the type of cylinders detected against the intended conditioning, in order to verify that the number and type of cylinder conforms to the intended conditioning.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the cycle of use of the batch of cylinders comprises a post-conditioning phase, and in that it comprises a step of recording the values of the final pressure (P) measured in each of the cylinders and the value of the final temperature (T) in each of the cylinders as measured by a temperature (T) sensor.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the cycle of use of the batch of cylinders comprises a quarantine or storage phase during which the cylinders of the batch are not used, the comparison step comprising: comparing the curves of variation in pressures (P) of the cylinders or comparing the values of the pressure (P) in each cylinder before and after the quarantine phase in order to detect a cylinder that is suffering from a slow leak.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein during the quarantine or storage phase, the comparison step comprises comparing the number of cylinders detected on the basis of the information received against the predefined number of cylinders.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the cycle of use of the batch of cylinders comprises a phase of delivering the batch, during which phase the comparison step comprises comparing and recording characteristics of the batch against a predefined batch.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises a battery and a temperature (T) sensor, the information emitted during the emission step comprising: the identity of the cylinder, the pressure (P) measured inside said cylinder, the measured temperature (T) and the state of the battery.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic waves are emitted at radio frequency.
 12. The method of claim 2, wherein the emission step is performed independently and automatically by each electronic device as soon as the data storage/acquisition and processing system detects a trigger condition relating to one of the items of information, such that a pressure threshold (P) is reached.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein each emission of information by an emitter is performed by successively sending out several redundant identical messages.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the cycle of use of the batch of cylinders comprises a pre-conditioning phase during which the comparison step comprises: comparing the number of cylinders detected against a number of cylinders initially intended for the conditioning, and comparing the type of cylinders detected against the intended conditioning, in order to verify that the number and type of cylinder conforms to the intended conditioning. 